Mark 15:46-47 - Nothin' Happened on Saturday

"So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. When the Sabbath was over ..."

- Mark 15:46 - 16:1a (NIV11)

According to the Gospel of Mark, nothin' happened on the Saturday following the crucifixion. Mark ends chapter 15 at the burial site and then nothin' happens until after sunset Saturday, when the women were able to purchase spices to anoint Jesus' corpse the next morning.  Nothin' happened because it was the sabbath and no work could be done. And thus, the disciples of Jesus were forced to slow down, rest and reflect upon what they had just experienced. Each had to enter into their own internal journey through the initial stages of grief: shock, denial, anger, guilt, despair. Alone with their thoughts, they had to enter those dark places of grief that only God can fully heal.  Some were in shock, others were in denial as a means of coping with the pain. Still others were angry Jesus had allowed this to happen, or felt guilty for not being there in Jesus' hour of need. All were in despair as they wondered, "What next?"

This Easter Saturday, let us not be too busy to reflect upon the grief the followed the burial. Take time to allow the reality of the cross and Jesus' death to sink in long enough so that Easter Sunday actually moves you to experience joy as you gaze upon an empty tomb. On this Saturday of Passion Week, take time to slow down, rest and reflect for according to Mark, nothin' happened on Saturday.

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures"

 -  The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

Prayer:

God of all compassion, help us to slow down long enough to contemplate the grief that accompanies death and loss. Be present in our brief Saturday season of grief that we might experience true joy as we remember anew and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.